Top 5 controversial statements made by Gautam Gambhir

2. “Ravichandran Ashwin should play at no. 4 in CWC 2019”

Gambhir once also wanted Ravichandran Ashwin to play at no. 4. During the initial phase of 2019, the Southpaw backed the off-spinner to play at the much-talked 4th spot and said that this move will add balance to the team. Ashwin, who has last donned the white-ball jersey in 2017, was later on replaced by the wrist-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Although the Tamil Nadu-born’s spin twin Ravindra Jadeja soon made a comeback to the team, Ashwin, on the other hand, never got a chance to return.

Meanwhile, during January 2019, Gambhir once advocated for Ashwin’s place. In a promotional event, he said that the 33-year old should be included in the squad and given a chance to play at no. 4 in the Cricket World Cup 2019. He said, “I think R Ashwin is someone who we should always consider because we are looking at conditions in England during that time of the year. Wickets could be flat and worn out. So a finger-spinner can be effective with the ball as well,”

Nonetheless, a couple of months later, Gambhir took a u-turn from his statement and then presented the name of Sanju Samson for the no. 4 spot. Going further, he also said that Ambati Rayudu would’ve been a better option for the position.